Part 1: Chapter 41: 1888: Red Deer, Alberta,
Richard is Dealt With
Richard Wainscott had the body of a man who had partied hard during his youth and now it showed. Richard had always been charming and smooth talking. He had always been surrounded by a lot of acquaintances, trying to climb their social ladder. Richard had never seen any of them as more than conquests. Unlike James, Richard's parents saw how toxic his lifestyle was and demanded that he spend five years in the army. They had hoped that the military could teach him discipline before he inherited their money.
James thought that it could have worked if they had just cut him off entirely. Richard turned out to be quite a good shooter when he was sober and steady. He could have done well in the army had it been his only choice. But his parents had seen the "change" in him and after five years, let him inherit a lot of their money
"James, old friend," Richard tried again.
"We are not friends!" James stated firmly and clearly.
"You're right! We are closer. We are brothers after all," Richard said.
James couldn't help his eye roll.
"I don't know why Regina hasn't divorced you, but that is literally the only reason why," James responded.
"She knows that it would be social suicide to do so," Richard said. "Women are supposed to be supportive and stand with their husbands, 'Till death do us part'."
"That statement just proves that, even after all these years, you don't know Regina at all," James said with disdain.
"I'm hoping we can have a chat, James…" Richard started.
"Mr. Wainscott, I believe we've established at I am not accepting any familiarity with you. Call me by my rank and name," James glared.
Richard looked offended at the comment.
James turned to go back inside his office. His men were about to kick Richard out of the fort.
"Second…" Richard said.
"He's a major," Constable Wiggins sneered, annoyed with everyone who hadn't been treating James with due respect.
Richard was surprised.
"Major Normandeau, I would like to speak with you about my wife," Richard said as if it had physically pained him to do so.
James stopped and glared again.
"Mr. Wainscott, I have no earthly idea why you think I would be willing to listen to anything you have to say regarding my sister, but let me tell you now, I won't listen to you. You won't get what you are asking for. I won't allow you to see her," James said in a deadly low voice.
"It's about our son," Richard said.
"You mean her son? I already know all about Harris, which you had to know that I knew because of your actions to the Harris family in Winnipeg," James glared.
"Fine, I will let Society know that Regina stepped out on our marriage," Richard threatened.
James gave a sarcastic laugh back and stepped forward.
"Regina won't care. Neither will Harris. They are both too sick for that to matter," James said back.
"But it will for your honorary family, and you and your wife," Richard said.
James raised an eyebrow as he took the time to consider the threat and to make Richard squirm.
"If you think for one moment that you can fight a Normandeau in Society politics, then you will be severely disappointed. Just because I have made a career as a soldier doesn't mean I don't know how to play the old games. I also think you will find that Society hasn't been too kind to your name and reputation after you left Regina alone in Sicily," James whispered.
"This is not over," Richard glared.
"I am aware of that. But I do believe we are actually nearing the end of this battle," James added.
Richard stalked away in a huff.
It said a great deal about how much the current men respected their major because Richard had a Mountie detail following him out, and they started organizing protective detail for the family inside the fort, and for Richard to be trailed by armed men wherever he went, without James saying a word.
"Richard's here?! What does he want?" Regina growled in frustration.
James had waited for the Grants to pick up Colleen at school before he decided to tell Regina about her husband being in Red Deer.
"I didn't give him a chance to actually ask, but he is threatening your reputation, for one thing," James replied stiffly.
Regina rolled her eyes quite hard.
"Like I have the days left to care," Regina said in response. This had been the first time that she had admitted her poor health in front of the family.
"He is also threatening ours," James pointed to a drawing of the children and then between himself and Edith.
Edith actually laughed at the idea.
Ophelia looked at her in surprise.
"I am a Bartholomeu. James and Regina are Normandeaus. Both of our families are considered higher socially than Wainscotts. Our families have the reputation for being forthright and proper (Regina's experience notwithstanding). Then there is the fact that James has established his own reputation as a soldier," Edith explained.
"I think that is the most pretentious comment I have heard come out of your mouth," Ophelia said in shock.
Edith blushed
"It used to be who we were," Edith admitted with a little shame. "I didn't know any different. I believed in Society and its rules. Not until I was attacked. Losing almost everything that is supposed to be important to society women was truly a humbling experience."
Ophelia just bit her lip.
"Of course, meeting all of you and realizing just how lucky I still am, has been even more humbling," Edith said with nervousness. She was worried that she had miss-stepped with Ophelia.
Ophelia just studied her for a long moment.
"How much trouble will Richard be?" Ophelia asked.
"Well, that depends on how far he will go," James said.
"Well, we know he has no qualms about digging up someone's grave, how much danger are we in?" Ophelia pointed out.
James had to admit he didn't know for certain.
The Grants were still having issues after the whole Seamus Grant fiasco. They realized that Richard wasn't personally that level of a threat, but that he could hire someone to be that level of threat.
"What's the plan?" Archie asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"He is being followed by Mounties. I think you are safe enough at your home, but if it looks like he is trying to do something, we will have you stay here again," James replied.
The Grants agreed.
The Mounties were actually doing their jobs correctly and with diligence and managed to stop Richard from attempting to talk with Regina and Harris several times. But he hadn't gone after the Grants yet.
It wasn't until Friday afternoon when the Ophelia was holding Nate, a task that is not made any easier since he was growing quite quickly, to pick up Colleen from school that Richard approached the Grants.
"Mrs. Grant?" Richard asked as he stayed a respectful distance. Constable Wiggins and Constable Brookings were just behind him glaring.
"Who wants to know?" Ophelia asked.
"My name is Richard Wainscott. I understand that you are friends with my sister-in-law, Edith Normandeau. Which means you've met my wife recently," the man was laying on his charm.
Ophelia just looked at him.
Richard gave her a confused look back. Ophelia could see that he was second guessing that she was the correct woman.
"There wasn't a question in there," Ophelia said.
Richard smiled.
"Well, you must know of Regina's troubles. You must also be aware that James hasn't exactly allowed me to speak with her," Richard pointed over his soldiers at the Mounties. "I mean you no harm, but will you deliver this letter to her?"
Richard tucked a hand into his jacket and then pulled out an envelope.
Constable Wiggins came directly over and grabbed the envelope out of his hands.
"Is that really necessary?" Richard asked.
Wiggins just nodded.
"You could have tampered with it," Constable Brookings said.
Richard glared at the man.
"Destroy it in the fort," Wiggins added.
"I think it should be up to Regina to decide that," Ophelia said.
The men looked at each other.
"Make sure that it is safe, but deliver it to her after," Ophelia added.
Richard looked relieved and gave a smirk to the Mounties. He tipped his hat at her before walking away. They had just left as Ms. Fletcher had opened the classroom. The students were all rushing out to get as far away from that day as possible. The Grants all met up with an exuberance and walked to the fort for their dinner with the family.
When they entered the parlor, Ophelia told them about Richard's request and the letter.
Regina looked at her in surprise.
"It seems like the only way to know what exactly he wants," Ophelia said when she was done.
Regina and Edith both nodded.
"You look like you are about to snap. Is something wrong?" Edith commented as she looked at Ophelia.
"I hate my short hair," Ophelia said as she pushed away the short bob they had had to cut her hair into after her attack.
"But you look good. Cutting edge," Regina commented.
Ophelia glared at her.
"But it's too short to pull it into a ponytail, let alone a bun. It gets in my way while I cook and clean," Ophelia added.
"Long hair does the same," Regina pointed out with an eyebrow raise.
Ophelia just shrugged.
It was through James and Archie as they returned from work that Wiggins delivered the letter from Richard.
James gave the women a look, before handing it over to Regina. Regina read it and just got angry. Then she passed it to Edith, who was sitting next to her. Edith went stony-face and passed the letter to Archie. Archie read and passed it to Ophelia. Who passed it to James.
In the letter, Richard was attempting to sweat talk Regina, claiming he had only ever loved her, and that he was the only father Harris had known. That he wanted to reconcile.
"You do realize that he is just spouting air?" James growled.
"Of course, I do," Regina gave a grey-eyed glare, then started coughing harshly. "How much longer until my lawyer is done?"
"Well, to be fair you have a lot of things he has to put together, and he is by himself. It may take some time," James replied.
They were interrupted by Harris, Nate, and Colleen racing into the parlor room all speaking in French (it was language day for Harris) rapidly.
"Viens jouer avec nous, s'il te plait?" Colleen asked the adults in the room.
While Archie and Ophelia had no experience with speaking French, both of them understood the children's intent and question well enough.
"What are ya playing?" Archie asked them.
"We're French pirates, Uncle Archie," Harris replied.
"French pirates, you say? Well, it is then up to the best of the British Navy to capture and foil your evil deeds," Edith commented as she looked at James.
James immediately stood up.
"Reporting for duty, your majesty," James said with a salute.
"Captain James, there are fearsome pirates raiding the high seas, it is up to you to capture them," Edith ordered.
"As you wish, ma'am," James bowed and turned towards Archie, "Commander Grant, Queen Edith has ordered me to go on a long voyage to deter and detain fierce pirates. We have long worked well together, what say you?"
"Which crew are we going after?" Archie asked.
James looked over at the children for the name of their ship.
"The Rotten Fish," Harris said.
"We're going for the deadliest of pirate ships, The Rotten Fish," James added dramatically.
"Oh no! Not that ship!" Archie quavered.
James just nodded.
"Well, I can't let ya go alone. Someone's got to look out after ya. And we especially owe the crew a good payback," Archie said.
"Wonderful. Any other crewmen?" James asked Regina and Ophelia.
"Count me in, Captain," Ophelia said.
The men then went about moving the furniture of the Normandeau parlor so that they had room and could build the ships. Regina and Edith were on a sofa off to the side, but where they could see.
The two ships met each other after a series of days out at sea. When they saw each other, they prepared their canons.
"Captain, I encourage you to surrender otherwise your precious ship will be destroyed!" James ordered.
"Ha! Just try it, Captain! The crew of The Rotting Fish doesn't surrender," Harris boasted back.
"Ever!" Colleen shouted.
Nate nodded in encouragement.
"Then prepare for battle," James said.
The two ships then started to shooting cannon balls at each other (pillows). When most of each crew's ammunition was in the water between the two ships, both crews went into the water and then ended up on the British ship. The two captains were fighting each other. Colleen and Archie were in a pillow fight. And also, Nate and Ophelia.
"You're losing," Colleen bragged.
"Or giving ya a false sense of security," Archie replied. He abandoned his pillow and scooped Colleen up and started tickling her. She started squirming and giggling. Archie then pulled her tightly into his arms. "Sir, I captured mine."
"Put her in the cell below decks," James ordered from his fight with Harris. Both of them were using long, hallow tubes to fence with. It was obvious that James was letting Harris take a few shots and had actually been giving him pointers on his stance and fingering. Harris was breathing quite heavily. James too a wide arc and swipe at the back Harris' legs. Harris realized this would be a crippling blow and fell down.
"I am wounded. It's up to you, Nate. Don't let us down," Harris said dramatically.
Nate nodded solemnly. Then he looked at Ophelia, and Ophelia observed him back. Both were watching, waiting to see how their final battle would play out.
"Oh, for heaven's sake, what are you going to do, have a staring competition?" Regina asked in annoyance at the quiet. This made everyone laugh.
"That wasn't in my plans, but if it annoys you so much," Ophelia added as she Regina a mischievous look. Then she met Nate's blue eyes. Blues eyes and brown eyes connected, widened and eventually Ophelia picked up Nate so that neither had to crane their necks in order to see better. Her forehead pressed against his. Both were still unblinking.
It was at this moment that Rachel, Sally, and Molly walked in with carrots for General later. It was the distraction of the carrots and the potential to feed them to General that made Nate look away. This made the adults laugh and the children rolled their eyes. Ophelia kissed Nate's head in affection.
James marched their prisoners over to Edith.
"Your majesty, I have captured the crew of The Rotting Fish," James said as he pushed them forward.
Edith gave each of them a firm look.
"It seems like the whole lot of you didn't receive enough hugs and kisses as children. Therefore, your punishment is to receive hugs and kisses daily without complaint from your family," Edith said.
Harris gave a grimace. Regina smirked.
Harris then helped Archie and James return the parlor room back to the way it was before. Regina was sitting where she had been. Ophelia was holding Colleen next to her. Edith was the last and was holding Nate. All of them were smiling.
The family had their normal Friday meal.
James took Nate to feed General the carrots just before the Grant's were supposed to leave. So, he carried a bundled-up Nate in his arms until the got to the barn. General was in his stall and immediately came out to his brushing spot. Nate feed him the carrots; then he went about helping brush the large animal. When that chore was done, James escorted the Grant family back to their wagon. They waved goodbye until they couldn't see them anymore.
Two days later James was away for the day. When he returned, he found Edith, Regina, and her lawyer discussing Regina's new will. The lawyer had made it so that her entire fortune was split up three ways, between Harris, Colleen, and Nate. The only exception was the Winnipeg house, to be inherited by Harris, if he should live that long, to be taken care of and staffed by Edith and James (they were also to take Harris in). They would only inherit the fortune when Richard Wainscott was dead. Since they weren't sure of how long this would be, and for the Grants' safety, they were not to be told about the money until it could be legally obtained.
"Regina, are you wanting to go back to Winnipeg?" James asked as he looked at his pale and sickly sister.
Regina coughed before replying.
"If you had asked me that even a month ago, I would have said yes," Regina wheezed.
"Don't you want to be buried with the Harrises?" Edith asked.
"Yes. That has not changed," Regina admitted.
"What has changed then?" James asked.
"I want to be around family. It seems selfish of us to ask the Grants to go back to Winnipeg again when the last time they went caused them so much trouble," Regina replied.
Regina then needed to go to sleep and was taken to her room.
Edith and James stared at her spot for a moment.
"If she waits too much longer, she will be too sick to go," Edith commented.
James nodded in agreement.
"She deserves to have all of her burial wishes come true," Edith said.
"Yes, but she is also right about the Grants. It is selfish of us to ask them to go so far again," James replied.
"Oh, James. What are we going to do?" Edith asked.
"Be supportive of Regina's choice," James said.
"But it seems like she isn't making it," Edith said.
James nodded.
What the Normandeaus didn't know was that Archie and Ophelia had also been increasingly worried about Regina's declining health and often spoke of it as they were lying awake in bed after putting the children to sleep.
"Archie, if Regina doesn't go back to Winnipeg soon, she won't be able to," Ophelia commented that same night.
"That's true," Archie agreed.
"Why are they taking so long?" Ophelia asked in frustration.
"I don't know. That's something ya need to ask Regina," Archie said.
Ophelia nodded.
"Archie, we're taking the wagon tomorrow," Ophelia said firmly, feeling like this is a time sensitive issue.
Archie just nodded and kissed his wife goodnight.
All of the Grant family were tucked safely onto the one bench wagon. Sirius was in the back behind the bench. They pulled up to the outside of the school yard. James was on General and saw them. He led General over to their spot and greeted them. Nate pulled out a carrot for General and scratched his nose. General snickered in self-importance. Sirius hopped over the bench and stretched out all of the laps and gave a smug look when most hands went to pet him. General gave a huff of irritation at the dog. Nate reached one hand up to stroke General's nose. The other was scratching Sirius' belly. Both animals were content with this.
"Good to know where their loyalty lies," Archie said with a teasing wink to James.
James gave a soft chuckle.
Colleen was looking out at the sea of people, trying to find the Clarke sisters, who hadn't arrived yet. So, Ophelia felt this was a good time to bring up Regina.
"James, has Regina made mention of plans to go back to Winnipeg?" she asked softly.
"No, she hasn't," James admitted.
Ophelia sucked in a breath
"Why not?" she whispered.
"She's said she wants to be around family but can't realistically rationalize asking you all to go again," James answered.
Ophelia took in this answer. James and Archie both watched as Ophelia processed what that would mean for Regina and watched as she had a mission for this.
"Is Regina awake?" she asked.
James just nodded.
"Archie, take us the fort," Ophelia demanded.
"Ya want to go right now?" Archie asked in surprise.
"Yes, right now! GO!" Ophelia demanded as she pointed in that direction.
"Apparently, we're going now," Archie said as he pulled the break on the wagon and directed Galileo which direction to go
"I think I should follow you," James admitted as he also directed General in that direction.
The schoolhouse had opened just as the Grant wagon turned into the fort.
Archie had barely parked the wagon before Ophelia had stood up and put her feet on the steps. If James hadn't been beside her, she would have fallen. Once on the ground, she raced into the cleaning room. James had Colleen in his arms and had set her down when Ophelia's voice rang through.
"Regina Wainscott!" Ophelia said with anger.
"I'm glad Mama isn't mad at us," Colleen said loudly.
Nate nodded in agreement as James picked him up.
"Your mother could frighten an army, when she's angry," James whispered.
Archie chuckled but nodded too.
The men carried the children into the cleaning room. Then they found Regina in her bedroom. She was awake but sitting in her bed with her hair in a simple braid and looking ever more annoyed.
"You get mad when we come. You get mad when we don't go. What exactly do you want, Ophelia?" Regina glared one grey eye at her.
"You spent so much time and energy on making sure that you could be buried next to Nathan. Why aren't you going back to Winnipeg?" Ophelia glared back.
"Because I don't want to die alone!" Regina shouted in anger. Her own statement seemed to surprise her.
"You wouldn't be," Ophelia said, pointing to Edith and James.
"As much as I love them both. It wouldn't be the same without all of you," Regina pointed to the Grants hovering outside her doorway.
"So, your next option is a hasty grave in Red Deer?" Ophelia asked.
"I can't ask you to take on that kind of trip again. Not when the first caused so many problems," Regina said.
Ophelia sighed heavily.
"Regina, we appreciate the concern you have for our struggles, and they are real and still something we are fighting. But not asking us at all, is not okay. Archie and I are grown adults and we should be able to discuss whether or not another trip is an option," Ophelia glared at each wealthy member of the family.
"Last time you…" Regina started to argue.
"It's about consent and respect. Giving us the right to make an informed decision and saying 'yes' or 'no,' and allowing that to stand," Ophelia said simply.
Edith and Regina both gasped. Both had experienced someone taking something, or forcing them to do something they didn't want to. Both realized that they had treated the Grants in this way several times with money issues. Both looked at each other and promised to hold themselves accountable for being better.
"Can you make such a trip again?" Regina asked finally.
"I don't know. We'll need to talk," Ophelia said as she met Archie's eyes.
The Normandeaus allowed the Grants privacy down in the kitchen.
"Are we able to go?" Ophelia asked.
Archie was doing some number crunching in his head.
"Sort of. We have the left-over loan money, but we are still needing to do the repairs that is for. I don't know how Mr. Croft will handle me asking to go away on leave again. Then we have the chickens and whatnot," Archie said.
"Don't you have that contract?" Ophelia asked.
"Yes, but that don't stop him from firin' me," Archie pointed out.
"Well, perhaps you should just quit and get a different job when we get back," Ophelia suggested.
"That pays as well?" Archie said with skepticism.
"Is dealing with Mr. Croft worth the pay?" Ophelia counter argued.
"With our repairs, and the loan bill, yes," Archie admitted.
Ophelia glared at him.
"Let me talk with him. See what he has to say about extended leave again," Archie said. He then walked to his work from the fort.
"Archie, come in," Mr. Croft said as Archie had knocked on his office door.
Archie stepped inside and closed the door.
"How can I help you?" Mr. Croft asked.
"I need some time off," Archie admitted.
Mr. Croft gave him a look of frustration.
"When and for how long?" Croft asked with anger.
"As soon as possible and I don't know," Archie added.
Mr. Croft was about to go into a lecture but stopped himself just before he got into it.
"As it so happens, I am needing to be away for several months over the summer. First for a business conference. Then my sister-in-law's wedding. I will let you go now, if you agree to work those months for me," Mr. Croft said.
"What's the catch?" Archie asked with suspicion.
"Your pay isn't considered overtime, and you have to work each shift," Mr. Croft said.
"Agreed," Archie said. They shook hands briefly.
Archie finished his shift for that day. Then he had Ed take out the remainder of the loan money and went back to the fort.
James once more was who opened the gate.
"How did it go?" he asked.
Archie summarized what had happened.
"I have a favor to ask, James" Archie said as he looked down at his feet.
James raised an eyebrow.
"When we get back, will ya help me finish the repairs? I don't want me family to not have what they need to live comfortably by the time summer starts and since me summer will be busy," Archie asked.
James just smiled.
"Archie, I was hoping you would ask for help. Glad to do it," James smiled and patted his shoulder.
The family were able to plan for another extended vacation to Winnipeg. But before they could leave Regina felt she had to have one last meeting with Richard. This was happening in the fort offices. She had asked for privacy, but both knew that two Mounties and two soldiers were both standing outside the office door. She was sitting as demurely as she could, but sitting up on her own cost a lot of her strength.
"Regina," Richard smiled when he entered, but he visibly flinched when he got a good look at her.
Regina glared at him.
"You look lovely," Richard said.
"You're lying, like normal. But that is neither here nor there. Richard, I want you to know that you and I were done in Sicily. It is not my fault you gambled away your inheritance. But you are not allowed to touch mine, or Harris'. My money is being put into a trust that you cannot access. I want you to abide by our agreement and leave us alone! Or I will have restraining orders filed!" Regina glared.
Richard glared at her through this.
"Do you really think any Society family can withstand a fallen woman?" Richard asked.
"Do you really think James and Edith actually care about what Society thinks?" Regina asked back. "We all once did, but James has seen too much, and Edith was betrayed by it. What they care about is if Harris is taken care of and a good person, which he is, no thanks to you!"
Richard glared at her.
"That also doesn't stop the fact that we all already inherited our fortunes!" Regina added.
"You'll regret this," Richard said before he stormed to the door.
"No. What I regret is thinking I had needed you to cover up. It has been clear to me over the past year, that the Harrises would have welcomed me even if Edith and James hadn't," Regina said.
Richard slammed the door as he left. Regina heard some of the Mounties follow him.
Sorry, about the update. I had originally planned to post yesterday, as I had gotten several pages written out, but it turned out that those pages didn't save to my word doc. (despite clicking save several times). I couldn't find the history of that doc. and I had to rewrite about 2/3 of the chapter and re-edit them. Thanks for the positive feedback!